Podcasts about middle earth

A discussion of the chapter "A Warm Welcome" from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.  A look at the role of Men in the canon of Middle Earth. A contrast of Kings and Masters, monarchy and Enlightenment era politics.  A look into the editing process between the pure story of a hand-written draft and the symbolism in a polished typescript.  "Thag You Very Buch".Support the show

Send us Fan MailRecently, a Chinese film DEAR YOU (給阿嬤的情書 - 2026) broke the country box office. This historical / family / period drama was shot on a mere 14 million yuan budget ($2 million), and yet made over 1.8 billion yuan ($265 millions). But what's interesting about that story is that it's not so much about the money itself, or that the director was quite unknown ; it is that this story that spam from the end of 1940s to today is primary spoken in Teochew dialect. And those types of movies, alongside side any kind of cultural content for the matter, has a hard time finding its place in Chinese cultural consumption as there is a strong emphasis on using Putonghua. Yet, things are brewing.Featuring- LAM Can-zhao : Filmmaker- Yaling JIANG : Consultant- Sam Debell : Sea of Wood Records - Co-founderTo go further- Middle Earth episode #102 Remote Creatives- TWOC's series Fangyan Friday- TWOC's article Speaking Up: Can Social Media Save China's Dialects? by Chu Siyi- TWOC's article Dongbei Survival Guide by Ginger Huang- Yaling JIANG's recommendation : 卖凉茶只狗 (A corgi who sells herbal tea) Giger Hu了 (Thighs are numb)Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影)The World of Chinese MagazineA magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

Middle-earth is the legendary setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's most beloved stories, filled with ancient kingdoms, distant lands, and a history spanning thousands of years. This episode explores the geography of Middle-earth, its peoples, the different ages of its history, and the enduring mythology that shaped one of the most influential fantasy worlds ever created. Along the way, you'll hear about hobbits, elves, dwarves, men, wizards, and the places that have captivated generations of readers. It's steady and consistent, with no whispering and no sudden changes, just enough to give your mind something to follow as you wind down. Happy sleeping! Read with permission from Middle-earth, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle-earth), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. — Ad-free episodes: ⁠icantsleep.supportingcast.fm⁠Have a topic in mind? ⁠Request a topic⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Serkis said that the casting in his Lord of the RIngs: The Hunt for Gollum movie will be book-accurate -- meaning, not a lot of diversity in Middle-Earth. And now the media is big mad about it. Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify. CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles. Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://more.clownfishtv.com/ On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTV On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvg On Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629 MORE CLOWNFISH TV - Official Merch Store: http://ClownfishMinus.com Facebook - https://facebook.com/ClownfishTV X - https://x.com/ClownfishTVcom Clownfish TV subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ClownfishTVOfficial/ Disclaimer: This series is produced by Clownfish Studios and WebReef Media, and is part of ClownfishTV.com. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of our guests, affiliates, sponsors, or advertisers. ClownfishTV.com is an unofficial news source and has no connection to any company that we may cover. This channel and website and the content made available through this site are for educational, entertainment and informational purposes only. These so-called “fair uses” are permitted even if the use of the work would otherwise be infringing. #LOTR #Movies #Podcast #Commentary #News #Reaction #Gaming #Comedy #Entertainment #Hollywood #PopCulture #Tech #Anime #FYP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join us as Tom recounts his incredible journey to the Maldives, navigating multiple modes of travel, airport experiences, and the joys of luxury in this remote paradise. Discover tips, travel hacks, and the beauty of Maldives through detailed travel tales. Join us as we explore luxury travel experiences, points strategies, and airport lounge insights with Tom, a seasoned traveler to the Maldives. Discover how to maximize your miles, find value in hotel stays, and navigate airport amenities like a pro. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Journey to Middle Earth and Beyond 02:59 The Maldives Experience 06:10 Travel Logistics and Layovers 09:04 Exploring Boston's Airport Lounges 12:02 Flight Experiences and Aircraft Diversity 14:59 Dining and Lounge Access 18:06 Airline Fleet Insights 23:33 Lufthansa's Business Model and Fleet Decisions 25:47 Transatlantic Flight Experiences 30:09 Barcelona Layover Dilemmas 32:11 Entry-Exit System Challenges in Europe 39:04 Barcelona Airport Lounge Experience 43:06 Flying Qatar Airways Business Class 48:05 Travel Experiences and Upgrades 51:50 Arrival in the Maldives 54:02 Local Cuisine and Cultural Insights 01:00:11 Journey to Park Hyatt Hadaha 01:02:35 Accommodations at Park Hyatt 01:09:37 Snorkeling Adventures and Marine Life 01:11:14 Dining Experiences and Meal Plans 01:15:31 Dining Experiences and Special Events 01:19:57 Final Thoughts on Park Hyatt and Staff Recognition 01:22:23 Transitioning to the Next Destination 01:22:49 Staying at Ocean Grand and Local Experiences 01:24:11 Exploring the New Terminal at Male, Maldives 01:29:49 Comparing Business Class Lounges 01:33:01 Flight Experience with Etihad 01:37:01 Layover at Heathrow and Hotel Stay 01:39:41 Travel Experiences and Lounge Reviews 01:43:29 Dining Options and Food Quality in Lounges 01:44:59 Economy Class Insights and Flight Experiences 01:47:55 Special Meal Choices and Regrets 01:50:44 Duty-Free Shopping and Airline Policies 01:53:50 Cultural Observations on Smoking and Vaping 01:57:21 Final Thoughts on Travel and Future Plans Reference: The best complaint letter —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post: Multiple modes of travel to Maldives (air, sea, land) Airport lounge experiences and tips Travel challenges and solutions in dense airports Luxury travel experiences in Qatar and Maldives Travel planning and efficiency tips Travel points and miles strategies Luxury hotel and villa experiences in Maldives Airport lounge reviews and amenities Travel planning and itinerary optimization In-flight service and meal experiences Keywords Maldives travel, airport lounges, travel hacks, luxury travel, flight experience, Maldives islands, travel tips, airport tips, travel stories luxury travel, frequent flyer, hotel reviews, airport lounges, Maldives, points hacking, travel tips, airline reviews

In this episode we are joined by one of my all-time favorite professors Dr. Sean McDonough! Sean has taught a class called "Tolkien's Apocalyptic Imagination" at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for over 20 years now and his recent book "Truth's Consuming Ecstasy" explores Revelation in light of Tolkien and 5 other literary and philosophical voices. See Sean's previous visit to the Dojo at: https://youtu.be/uIk8f9VfPok Truth's Consuming Ecstasy is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Truths-Consuming-Ecstasy-Philosophical-Investigations/dp/1481323342/ Other Tolkien resources: * DiscipleDojo's CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcS7cPUDS3pY&si=UiVpZrXTp7a7P640 * Letters of Tolkien - https://www.amazon.com/Letters-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0358652987/ * The Road to Middle-Earth - https://www.amazon.com/Road-Middle-Earth-Tolkien-Created-Mythology/dp/0618257608/ * Tolkien and the Great War - https://www.amazon.com/Tolkien-Great-War-Threshold-Middle-earth/dp/0618574816/ ***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://www.zazzle.com/discipledojo ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. Maybe like me you love hearing stories by women who know who they are. They don't waste words on small talk. They don't give "nice" little speeches. When they speak, the whole room stops. Many of us spend our lives doing the exact opposite. We say what we think people want to hear. We shy away from speaking our truth, offering our ideas. For example, recall a time when you spoke up in a meeting. The surface story is: “I pitched an idea, it got rejected, and I sat down.” That's a report, not a story. The real story happens when you ask yourself why rejection stung so bad. It wasn't about the project; it was the moment you sat down and realized you've been shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable—and you're finally done with that. The memorable story—the one that sits in your chest—arises from your “depth of inquiry.” You're not looking for glory; you're fighting for your right to be seen and heard. TIP: Expressing yourself creatively isn't about being showy. It's about standing in your own shoes, saying exactly what you mean, and meaning what you say. Speak your truth like you know what you're talking about... because you do.  And, I can help. Email me: info@quartermoonstoryarts.net You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, please subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

This week on Geekstorians, we travel to Middle-earth, not as tourists, but as slightly suspicious historians with a map, a torch, and some concerns about licensing agreements.In 1998, Peter Jackson walked into New Line Cinema with a fantasy epic most of Hollywood considered impossible. What followed became one of cinema's great gambles: three films, shot back-to-back, built in New Zealand by artists, craftspeople, performers, technicians, and people who apparently did not believe sleep was legally required.But this episode is not just about how The Lord of the Rings became a miracle.It's about what happened after the miracle.Because once Middle-earth proved it could be enormous, prestigious, beloved, and wildly profitable, it stopped being only a story. It became territory. A machine. A place where skipped chapters, side roads, appendices, rights deals, and strange little corners of Tolkien's world could all become valuable.From Jackson's impossible pitch, to Weta's handmade craft, to Oscar glory, to The Hobbit, The Rings of Power, and the modern hunt for whatever Middle-earth still has left to give, this is the story of what happens when a beloved world becomes too successful to leave alone.This is Middle-Earth, Inc.For more geeky news, reviews, interviews, and air dates, head to Geektown.co.uk. You can also listen to Geektown Radio, our weekly podcast covering the latest in TV, film, and gaming.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/geektown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuing our series (and picking up on the discussion of Shire economics) our hosts venture under the mountains to discuss what sorts of jobs might be prominant in Dwarven society (and what might motivate the differences between dwarves and hobbits). After this, we shift our focus (and the meaning of "vocation") as we discuss the Elves and their callings.

"Where you gonna go, where you gonna run, where you gonna hide? Nowhere... 'cause there's no one like you left." In the latest episode of AT THE MOVIES IN THE 90s, your host Mark McManus is joined by previous guest, podcaster Colin Jackson-Brown, to look at Peter Jackson's 1992 comedy splatter film, Braindead. An absolute giant of the gore low-budget comedy horror genre, Jackson's film serves as a growing calling card that will lead him down the road to, eventually, Middle Earth. But has it stood the test of time? We find out! Host / Editor Mark McManus Guest Colin Jackson-Brown Producer A. J. Black Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/atthemoviesinthe90s Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'I Am Changing' by Isaac Elliott (c) epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The adventure continues as the crew dives deeper into the chaotic world of "Corrupted Fantasy." Christian Ashley, our fearless DM, leads John Erdely and Nick Polk as they grapple with the complexities of their eclectic party, which features the likes of Spyro the Dragon, Kumar, Freakazoid, Samwise Gamgee, and Guan Yin. Picking up where they left off, the group faces the eerie remnants of a devastated Rivendell, where they must confront a corrupted Bilbo Baggins, who's all too eager to reclaim his precious. The stakes escalate when the characters navigate through the Mines of Moria, encountering unexpected twists that you won't wanna miss. As hilarity ensues and decisions take a sharp turn, they must work together to overcome the forces of corruption and forge their path to victory, all while throwing in a few clever quips along the way. Buckle up for a wild ride filled with pop culture references and light-hearted banter in this gripping continuation of their fantasy saga! The saga of 'Corrupted Fantasy' continues to weave a tapestry of chaotic humor and unexpected twists, as Christian Ashley, the DM, leads John Erdely and Nick Polk through the wilds of Middle-earth with a crew that's anything but ordinary. In this session, the players, embodying iconic characters like Spyro the Dragon, Kumar from 'Harold & Kumar', the quirky Freakazoid, the ever-loyal Samwise Gamgee, and the serene Guan Yin, navigate the aftermath of a corrupted Rivendell. The narrative kicks off with a recap of their previous misadventures, where the gang found themselves embroiled in a darker version of the Lord of the Rings universe, facing a half-powered Sauron and a mysteriously altered Bilbo Baggins, who is now a shadow of his former self, thanks to the corrupting influence of a ring that is only half as powerful as the original. As they delve into the Mines of Moria, the tension rises with the haunting echoes of Gollum's voice, and the players must confront their own inner conflicts as they grapple with the seductive whispers of power and corruption. The episode takes a turn for the absurd when the players attempt to heal Spyro after a botched attack, only to be interrupted by a bizarre encounter with Bilbo, who has become a grotesque figure consumed by desire for the ring. The banter flows freely as the characters interact, with Freakazoid's comic relief contrasting sharply with Sam's emotional turmoil over his beloved mentor's transformation. The players navigate this emotional landscape with a mix of wit and humor, creating a delightful blend of drama and levity that keeps the listeners engaged. The stakes are raised as the party must decide how to handle Bilbo's corrupted state, leading to unexpected plot developments that showcase the players' creativity and strategic thinking in dealing with the challenges thrown their way. As the episode unfolds, the group's dynamics come to the forefront. Each character's unique attributes and backgrounds offer rich opportunities for humor and conflict, particularly as they deal with the looming threat of Saruman and the ever-present danger of the ring's corruption. The episode culminates in a dramatic showdown where the characters must face their fears and make choices that will impact not just their fates, but the very fabric of the world they inhabit. The combination of clever storytelling and the players' improvisational skills results in a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving the audience eager for the next installment of this geeky escapade. Overall, 'Corrupted Fantasy' Part 2 delivers a captivating mix of nostalgia, humor, and the timeless battle between good and evil, all wrapped up in the charming chaos that defines Geeks on a Roll.Takeaways:In this episode, the crew dives deeper into their corrupted fantasy, continuing the wild adventure through a twisted version of Middle Earth where characters like Spyro and Kumar engage in some hilarious antics.Kumar's knowledge of movie lore proves invaluable as he guides the party, while Freakazoid's quirky behavior adds a comedic twist, making for a perfect blend of humor and strategy.The emotional turmoil faced by Samwise when meeting a corrupted Bilbo showcases the darker themes of the campaign, highlighting the impact of corruption on cherished characters.Spyro's attempt to take on the Balrog leads to a hilarious misfire, revealing how even the mightiest heroes can have their off days in a chaotic game of D&D.The players grapple with the weight of their choices, as each character faces their own temptation with the Ring of Half Power, leading to dramatic moments and tough decisions.With the unexpected death of Freakazoid, the game takes a darker turn, prompting the characters to confront the serious stakes of their fantasy adventure..Be sure to check out our merch, find extra content, and become an official member of Systematic Geekology on our website:https://systematic-geekology-shop.fourthwall.com/.Check out all of our Geeks on a Roll series:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/ce33764f-91e5-4e06-9b52-15f678b02006.Listen to more of our episodes on LOTR and Middle Earth:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/7bdc3a47-0c58-40f1-88da-9f14079772f7.Don't miss any of our gaming episodes:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/409f2d81-9857-4426-b1f0-d8a02e58b150.Check out all of our anime episodes:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/ff4343b3-82e0-4173-a884-1608a49eec5b.Check out other episodes with Christian:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/ebf4b064-0672-47dd-b5a3-0fff5f11b54c.Check out other episodes with John:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/0501276f-17e9-48cf-81a7-140cc6dbad53.Listen to other episodes with great guests like Nick:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/0d46051e-3772-49ec-9e2c-8739c9b74cdeMentioned in this episode:Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky to keep up to date!Follow our show on our socials to keep up to date and get some exclusive content and fun memes!Get Your SG Merch now!Check out the link to see all of our different t-shirts, backpacks, drinking glasses, pajamas, and more! SG on FourthwallDonate to our Show / Check Out Free ExtrasCheck out our show on Fourthwall to donate to the podcast or get free extra content!SG on FourthwallThe Anazao Podcast NetworkBe sure to check out the network website to see other podcasts trying to engage honestly with Scripture, Theology, Pop Culture, Martial Arts, Science, and more!Anazao Podcast NetworkSystematic GeekologyOur show focuses around our favorite fandoms that we discuss from a Christian perspective. We do not try to put Jesus into all our favorite stories, but rather we try to ask the questions the IPs are asking, then addressing those questions from our perspective. We are not all ordained, but we are the Priests to the Geeks, in the sense that we try to serve as mediators between the cultures around our favorite fandoms and our faith communities.

Watch this episode for FREE on YouTubeCome see Fandomonium LIVE in Colorado Springs on July 10th + August 14thIt's our live show from FanExpo Denver, our debut at a major convention. The theme of the convention was very much The Cast of The Lord of the Rings. So we decided to match their theme and make that the topic of our games. Longtime listeners know how much Middle Earth is a Fandomonium-favorite.Audra and Chris were joined on the panel by Johnny Wilson and Stephanie Fackler of The Teamup Playshow PodcastSupport our PlayersListen to The Teamup Playshow PodcastBuild a character at teamuprpg.comWe are an ad and listener supported podcast, but mainly listener supported. Consider supporting our production over at patreon.com/gateleapers. All supporters get ad-free audio episodes. Paid supporters get video recordings + our bonus monthly live comedy gameshow Slidesplitters!Do you have a suggestion for a fandom we've not yet covered? Are you a comedian, creative or performer who would like to be a guest on our show? Get in touch! gateleapers@gmail.comMusic: BoucheDag by Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fandomonium-a-fandom-comedy-game-show--5150861/support.

Gandalf the wizard as an Old Testament prophet? Hobbits as intercessory priests? Aragorn as a messianic king? Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College, joins Brian in the studio to uncover the rich Gospel themes in J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. While Tolkien famously insisted his work was not an allegory, Dr. Ryken explains how the author's faith and theological imagination imbued the text with profoundly Christian motifs—most significantly, “the threefold office of Christ” depicted through several of the story's central characters.Check out Dr. Ryken's book, The Messiah Comes to Middle-Earth: Images of Christ's Threefold Office in The Lord of the Rings:https://www.ivpress.com/the-messiah-comes-to-middle-earth-ebook?srsltid=AfmBOoqIanzXkiPyRO2X4rIxKb0kBGrYOE-fWxYlRUj0R3WN1_0knL92Dr. Ryken has published more than 50 books and he serves as president of Wheaton College: https://www.wheaton.edu/about-wheaton/leadership/president-rykenDr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.htmlIf you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

What happens when beloved fictional realms get a little too wild? Christian Ashley, the DM extraordinaire, invites co-host John Erdely and guest Nick Polk into the chaotic world of "Corrupted Fantasy," part of the Geeks on a Roll series. Their eclectic party includes fan-favorites like Spyro the Dragon, Kumar from the Harold & Kumar flicks, and even the whimsical Freakazoid, alongside characters like Sam from Lord of the Rings and Guan Yin from Buddhist mythology. As they roll the dice and navigate this twisted tale, they'll face off against familiar foes with a uniquely corrupted twist, all while trying to keep their team intact. Join them for a blend of strategy, humor, and a sprinkle of nostalgia as they embark on a quest that's anything but straightforward. Exploring the depths of corrupted fantasy, Christian Ashley leads a vibrant discussion with new players Nick Polk and John Eardely on the latest episode of Geeks on a Roll. The trio dives deep into the concept of fiction being thrown off course, akin to a narrative roller coaster gone haywire, which sets the stage for a chaotic yet entertaining Dungeons and Dragons campaign. As they embody eclectic characters like Spyro the dragon and the compassionate deity Guanyin, listeners are treated to a fascinating blend of humor and insightful commentary on the nature of storytelling and character development. With quick-witted banter and playful jabs about each other's choices, the chemistry among the hosts creates an engaging atmosphere that feels like eavesdropping on a group of friends enjoying a game night. As they navigate through challenges and roll the dice, the episode captures the essence of what it means to be a geek while also reflecting on the deeper implications of their fantastical journey. The episode also touches on various pop culture phenomena, from classic video games to beloved characters, showcasing the vast tapestry of influences that shape the gaming and storytelling landscape. Christian's playful introduction of the 'Corrupted Fantasy' theme leads to a myriad of character selections that spark entertaining discussions about their origins and traits. Nick, who shares his affinity for dark fantasy through his character selections, contrasts with John's quirky choices, including the loony superhero Freakazoid. This delightful juxtaposition highlights the diverse backgrounds and preferences that each player brings to the table, making for a rich narrative experience that resonates with long-time fans and newcomers alike. As the players embark on their adventure, they encounter unexpected twists, including perilous encounters with Nazgul and introspective moments for their characters. The stakes are raised not only in-game but also in the camaraderie shared among the teammates. Their discussions about the challenges they face evoke a sense of nostalgia for classic fantasy tales while simultaneously subverting expectations with humorous and modern takes on character dynamics. The clever interplay between the serious and the absurd creates a unique listening experience that invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys in the realms of fiction, all while laughing along with the hosts as they navigate through the whimsical chaos they've created.Takeaways:The episode dives deep into the concept of what happens when beloved fictional worlds go awry, showcasing the creativity of the hosts.Christian Ashley, the DM, sets the stage for a campaign titled 'Corrupted Fantasy', which adds a fascinating twist to traditional storytelling.The eclectic mix of characters chosen by John Erdely and Nick Polk, including Spyro and Kumar, leads to humorous and unexpected interactions during gameplay.As the team navigates through the dark and grim environments, they face challenges that test their characters' strengths and weaknesses.The banter between the hosts adds a light-hearted touch to the intense scenarios, keeping the audience engaged and entertained throughout the episode.With a unique blend of pop culture references and witty humor, the episode highlights the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges in tabletop gaming..Be sure to check out our merch, find extra content, and become an official member of Systematic Geekology on our website:https://systematic-geekology-shop.fourthwall.com/.Check out all of our Geeks on a Roll series:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/ce33764f-91e5-4e06-9b52-15f678b02006.Listen to more of our episodes on LOTR and Middle Earth:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/7bdc3a47-0c58-40f1-88da-9f14079772f7.Don't miss any of our gaming episodes:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/409f2d81-9857-4426-b1f0-d8a02e58b150.Check out all of our anime episodes:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/ff4343b3-82e0-4173-a884-1608a49eec5b.Check out other episodes with Christian:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/ebf4b064-0672-47dd-b5a3-0fff5f11b54c.Check out other episodes with John:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/0501276f-17e9-48cf-81a7-140cc6dbad53.Listen to other episodes with great guests like Nick:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/0d46051e-3772-49ec-9e2c-8739c9b74cdeMentioned in this episode:Donate to our Show / Check Out Free ExtrasCheck out our show on Fourthwall to donate to the podcast or get free extra content!SG on FourthwallBecome a member of Systematic Geekology on our Website!Check out the link to become a member of Systematic Geekology! All member get exclusive extras and shout outs on the show! Some of the paid tiers of membership get store discounts, free merch, and more!SG on FourthwallThe Anazao Podcast NetworkBe sure to check out the network website to see other podcasts trying to engage honestly with Scripture, Theology, Pop Culture, Martial Arts, Science, and more!Anazao Podcast NetworkSystematic GeekologyOur show focuses around our favorite fandoms that we discuss from a Christian perspective. We do not try to put Jesus into all our favorite stories, but rather we try to ask the questions the IPs are asking, then addressing those questions from our perspective. We are not all ordained, but we are the Priests to the Geeks, in the sense that we try to serve as mediators between the cultures around our favorite fandoms and our faith communities.Get Your SG Merch now!Check out the link to see all of our different t-shirts, backpacks, drinking glasses, pajamas, and more! SG on Fourthwall

Turns out the express lane to Mount Doom was paved by the Enemy himself. Join The Man of the West for our last Map Monday in Mordor, as the road ends at the Sammath Naur — and the Dark Tower comes crashing down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are heading back (again) to Middle Earth for yet more Lord of the Rings trivia! This time, I'll give you three items and you must tell me the common factor. Got it?Connect with the show: DorkyGeekyNerdy.com Patreon BlueSky Facebook Spotify Discord Reddit

We are heading back (again) to Middle Earth for yet more Lord of the Rings trivia! This time, I'll give you three items and you must tell me the common factor. Got it?Connect with the show: DorkyGeekyNerdy.com Patreon BlueSky Facebook Spotify Discord Reddit

Getting a little more serious on the topic of vocation, we try to actually answer the listener-submitted question: where did Bilbo (and his family) get their money from? What did he do for work (if anything)? This leads us into broader questions about the nature of the whole Shire economy and what sorts of jobs other Hobbits might be found doing.

The world wars were driven by attacks on the very values of the West. Liberty, justice, the rule of law, and the dignity of all people were directly under assault. Shaped by the First World War, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien offered a clear moral vision during the Second. In this episode, Cole talks with Joseph Loconte about his book The War for Middle-Earth and the values worth fighting for. 

You have to be a slight J.R.R. Tolkien nerd to watch the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings film series. They're long, there's three of them, and it helps to know your hobbits from your elves. You have to be even more of a fan to read the dense, lengthy Tolkien books. But then there's Glen Weldon, co-host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, who has read everything Tolkien many times over including The Silmarillion. That's the book Tolkien died while writing with extensive arcana of the world of Middle Earth. Here's the part in the description where I would give you examples but it's so deep, so thickly layered, such extreme Tolkienness that I kind of zoned out just listening to Glen take this deepest of dives. “The book is structured as a history, with sections on the creation of the world, the gods (Valar), the history of the Elves and Men, and the downfall of Númenor, all centered around the conflict with the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, and the rebellion of the Elf Fëanor,” says Wikipedia, and who am I to disagree? The detail, combined with Glen's avuncular NPR voice ought to conk you out before you can say, “Celebrimbor.” Listen to Glen Weldon on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour wherever fine pods are cast. Get your copy of Glen's books, Superman: The Unauthorized Biography and The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture, where books are sold. Hey Sleepy Heads, is there anyone whose voice you'd like to drift off to, or do you have suggestions on things we could do to aid your slumber? Email us at: sleepwithcelebs@maximumfun.org. Follow the Show on: Instagram @sleepwcelebs Bluesky @sleepwithcelebs TikTok @SleepWithCelebs John is on Bluesky @JohnMoe John's acclaimed, best-selling memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is now available in paperback. _________________________________________________________________________ Join | Maximum Fun If you like one or more shows on MaxFun, and you value independent artists being able to do their thing, you're the perfect person to become a MaxFun monthly member. Go to www.maximumfun.org/joinsleeping for our one-stop portal to becoming a member and supporter of Sleeping with Celebrities. Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsleeping

In this installment of our Lesser-trod Histories series, Stef and Jude explore The History of Middle-earth, volume 11, The War of the Jewel, specifically looking at the Grey Annals. The Grey Annals is the primary text for the structure of the history of Beleriand, and a year-by-year timeline of the First Age of Middle-earth. Jude muses on the etymology of the name “Beleriand” in regard to Ossë, and comes around to the tragedy of Túrin. Stef discusses the cruelty of Morgoth in paragraphs 80-82, and the conversation between Galadriel and Melian (and Melian and Thingol) in paragraphs 91-99.   Citations  Tolkien, J. R. R. War of the Jewels. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 11. HarperCollins, London, 1994.  Tolkien Gateway entry for “Bay of Balar” https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Bay_of_Balar (Accessed June 27, 2026) Tolkien and Middle-earth Online Art Exhibition August 15, 2026. https://sites.google.com/view/bc-tolkien-online-art-exhibit/home?authuser=0 (Accessed June 27, 2026) Tolkien Society Seminar: Tolkien's Invented Languages November 21, 2026. https://www.tolkiensociety.org/events/seminar-2026/ (Accessed June 27, 2026) Join the Athrabeth Discord!  https://discord.gg/4rZynfWv3f

Not a lottery ticket The Man of the West would buy. Join him as Frodo and Sam take the one road left to them, and end up conscripted into Sauron's army. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In response to a listen question (submitted over a year ago...our bad), we begin a series of episodes exploring vocation in Middle-Earth. We start off with a (fairly unserious) look at how a few members of the Fellowship might fair in an interview. Who do you think would get the job? Let us know in the comments!

Tyler Knott Gregson discusses Tolkein, Middle Earth, Lord of the Rings, and what we're losing in this world of ours.

For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in August 2025. If you want to hear our current longread project TOKYO DRIFTERS (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.Let us talk about Men, but not too much -- for many elves have returned to Middle-Earth! Let us instead pass the time with talk of the Noldor and their curse: the Doom of Mandos. Morgoth may yet hold the Silmarils, but he is surrounded by Fëanor's Large Adult Sons and their kin. A peace (of sorts) is achieved (sort of).Also, Tolkien gives us one heck of a geography lesson.The reading list:Ep 1 - Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion Ch 1-3Ep 2 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 4-10Ep 3 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 11-16Ep 4 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 17-20Ep 5 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 21-24Ep 6 - Alkallabeth, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, AppendicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join The Man of the West as Frodo and Sam crest the Morgai — and discover the plain of Gorgoroth is crawling with orcs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Books, movies, and television shows benefit from one major advantage: the entire story is planned before the audience experiences it. D&D campaigns don't have that luxury.Players miss clues, chase unexpected leads, ignore carefully crafted plot hooks, and sometimes decide that the villain's plan sounds surprisingly reasonable. As a result, even the most carefully prepared campaign can become a tangled web of stories, side quests, and unanswered questions.In this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave tackle a question that arose during Chris's ongoing Lord of the Rings campaign: How important is it for every plot thread, mystery, and adventure to fit together into a perfectly coherent story?Along the way, the Wise DMs explore the balance between narrative consistency and table enjoyment, discuss when loose ends are worth tying up, and ask a fundamental question: Is it more important for your campaign to make sense—or for everyone at the table to have fun?1:37 Our congratulations to The New York Knicks and New York city!3:22 DM Chris' question regarding his Middle-Earth campaign.4:48 Continuity is important. 5:58 DM with a Day Job's YouTube video: Stop Connecting Everything!7:30 This question can change when you're playing in worlds like Middle-Earth.9:05 “Sometimes a tomb is just a tomb.” Not everything is a reveal.11:05 Some campaigns are one long, epic adventure: LOTR and Dragonlance.12:30 Our discussion of the factions and innerworkings of Moria.15:30 You don't have to explain anything until you have to explain it.20:15 Frequency of Play.22:58 Your players are focused more on explaining their characters rather than explaining the adventure.25:00 Lore heavy campaigns.26:54 The evolution of storytelling in TTRPGs.29:48 Paying homage to well-loved properties.32:23 The longer you have between sessions, the more your mind will find all the “plot holes.”36:35 Final Thoughts.

But not to goblin-town; not yet. Join The Man of the West as Sam finds the way up to Frodo, and the two escape the Tower of Cirith Ungol — into The Land of Shadow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes the strongest and safest places in Middle Earth aren't its grand towers and fortresses, but instead are hidden places, secluded woods, and the like. What makes these places special? How are they distinct from the fortresses where evil lurks and the strongholds of men?

Join The Man of the West (who climbs forward, if at all) as we follow Sam in, and up, the Tower of Cirith Ungol on his quest to find Frodo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our SUMMER VACATION takes a detour into Middle Earth as we discussed Peter Jackson's interminable Hobbit trilogy: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). Who knows what we talked about (it was a very traumatic episode), but Ethan's wife Catie joins us to discuss behind-the-scenes gossip and Ian McKellen's loose tongue. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or BlueSky at @youretallpod. Follow Ethan on Twitter at @Mathissippi and Devin on Twitter at @stalecooper. Email us at youretallpod@gmail.com.

Continuing on last week's discussion, we pivot to talk about the Strongholds that are built to defy evil lords, to defend the free people, and as bastions of hope in Middle Earth.

We welcomed back Larry Foster—the man, the myth, the legend—to the podcast as we kicked off Men's Health Month in Middle Earth. Larry fits right in with the team because, truthfully, he is part of the team. As a longtime counselor in addiction recovery and Lord Protector of the Realm, Sir Larry shared the wisdom and insight we all needed to hear, covering mental health awareness, generational influences, and the realities of today's recovery landscape. Bringing both old-school experience and a modern perspective, Larry offered a balanced view of addiction and recovery that resonated with everyone. "Larry the Grey" also helped us bring our Lord of the Rings theme to life. We like to have fun. Thank you, Larry, for joining us once again and for your continued support—we're grateful to have you as part of the family.

Deen Salami | Guest Pastor Standing Firm: A Look at Stephen Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript Standing Firm: What Stephen's Martyrdom in Acts 6–7 Teaches Us About Faith Under Fire — Sermon TranscriptSouth Run Baptist Church | Springfield, VA Guest Preacher: Deen SalamiActs 6:8–7:60June 7, 2026This is a full sermon transcript from South Run Baptist Church in Springfield, Virginia. In this message, guest preacher Deen Salami preaches on the martyrdom of Stephen from Acts 6–7. This sermon addresses how Stephen — an ordinary believer full of faith and the Holy Spirit — stood firm against hate and persecution before the Sanhedrin, what his conduct, his defense, and his death reveal about the cost of following Jesus, and why the church's first martyr was not a tragic accident but a catalyst for the spread of the gospel. Opening: A Passage That Can Almost Preach ItselfI am a little excited today about the message. We've got a lot of ground to cover. There's a large section of scripture that I want us to go through. I'm going to act as your guide. It's not very often that there are passages of scripture that actually can preach themselves. This passage just might be one of them. So what I'd like to do is just to act as your guide. I'll read through big chunks of scripture and I'll just make a couple of observations for us to consider as we do. To do that, though, I'll only need about another hour. Are you guys good with that? I know better than to get in the way of lunch, so I'll make sure that I'll get through this thing in a reasonable amount of time, and I promise we'll survive the experience, all right? All right, why don't you join me in prayer? Gracious God and Father, behold this time. It is you who have called all these people here. None are here by accident. You have assigned me to this task for this day and this hour, and I just pray, Lord God, that you would act and move. Empower now your servant to be able to bring forth this majesty for your people's benefit and for the glory of your great name. May everything that be said and done would be pleasing to you. We pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. Context: Who Was Stephen, and Why Does He Matter?Now, we've already had the first section of our passage read to us. We're going to look at the first martyr of the early church. If you guys know, that is a follower by the name of Stephen. Before he was crucified, Jesus warned the disciples that the world would hate them because of him, and as a result, they would suffer persecution. So how do we stand firm against the hate and persecution? Well, Stephen is going to help us answer that question because he experienced exactly what Jesus said he would. How he handles the hate is a great example for us to follow. Now, again, we've already read that first section in Acts 6:1–8, but as we go into the commentary of it, I want you to consider three simple things: the charges brought before Stephen, his conduct throughout this whole trial, and what it costs him at the end. Three things — charges, his conduct, and the cost. The gospel was being preached early on. It's the early part of the church's existence. The gospel was being preached, and after an early reception by the masses, opposition began to rise, specifically from the religious leaders. Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew, which means that his native tongue was not Aramaic, but it was Greek. He was also a Diaspora Jew, meaning that he was not born and raised inside Israel proper. He was born and raised outside of Israel. He came to Jerusalem, heard the gospel, and became a believer. He was not one of the original 12. He had no special place of prominence. In fact, when we first learn of Stephen a few verses earlier, he was in charge of food distribution for the church. In other words, Stephen was a simple, normal person, just like any one of us. His only desire was to serve and to be used by God. Now look at how he was described in this section. It says that he was full of God's grace and power, and he performed great signs and wonders. Up until this point, that description was only made of the apostles. But he ran into his fellow Diaspora Jews, and they could not withstand him in debate, because the Spirit of God had given him great wisdom. Since they were unable to defeat Stephen in debate, they slandered him, brought him up on trumped-up charges, and dragged him before the Sanhedrin. And this, by the way, is the third time that a follower of Jesus was dragged before the Sanhedrin. The first time it was Peter and John for healing a lame man. But because the crowds were praising God, they let them go. The second time was with all 12 apostles. They were beaten and sternly warned no longer to preach the gospel. This time, the Diaspora Jews were mobilized as a mob against Stephen, and if you were hearing properly and paying attention, you noticed that Stephen is alone. Incidentally, this is the same council that sentenced Jesus to death. The Charges Against Stephen: Disrespecting Moses and the TempleSo let's hear the charges brought against Stephen. It was the disrespect of the law — which is referred to as Moses — and the disrespect of God, the temple, because they believed that God's presence was in the temple. But Stephen is going to take these two charges and turn them on his accusers. But for now, I want to draw your attention to how Luke describes Stephen as he stands before the Sanhedrin. He says that he has the face of an angel. Now, I doubt very much that the Sanhedrin thought Stephen was hot, right? But what is it that made his appearance unmistakable? The question I want us to consider is, how is it possible that a normal person like Stephen — who was not part of the inner circle of Jesus — is able to do the things that Stephen had done and was described the way Luke describes him? Acts 6:5 — Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit: What That Actually MeansAnd I believe that the answer is found in verse 5 of chapter 6. This is the very first description we have of Stephen: he's a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. But the question is, what does that mean exactly? Let me start with full of faith. Because there are three aspects of faith that we see in Stephen. First, there's an intellectual determination. What do I mean by that? It simply means that he's asking himself, is the gospel true, and do I believe it? Am I a sinner, like the gospel says, and do I need a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? Stephen's answer is yes. The second is, do I trust Jesus? Will I submit my life to him and proclaim him as my Lord? Again, Stephen answers, yes. But finally, will I commit everything to him, even if it means my death? And as we will see, Stephen will answer that question yes as well. But let me ask us all a question here. How are we doing in these three aspects? For most Christians, they're okay intellectually up here. Do I need a Savior? Yes. But it's the other two that they stumble at. Is he actually Lord? Am I running my own life? Do I just need Jesus as an advisor — I'll call on him when I need to? Or is he actually Lord? Do we actually commit our lives to him, willing to die? Because Stephen was all in with Jesus, it gave the Holy Spirit free reign to use Stephen any way he wanted. Not like a puppet, but as an active and willing partner in the work of advancing the kingdom. It's like the Fellowship of the Ring. Do you guys remember the Fellowship of the Ring? Remember when Frodo said he was going to go and take the ring to Mordor? Aragorn said to him, if by my life or death I can protect you, I will. Why? Because the fate of Middle Earth hung in the balance, right? But for us today, it's the souls — the eternal souls of people — that hang in the balance. And the only hope for them is Jesus Christ. Amen? If by our life or death, if we have the opportunity to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, will we? Are we all in like Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit? What the Sanhedrin saw in Stephen was the very presence of the divine emanating from him. But let's move on and see what happens next. Acts 7:1–16: Stephen's Defense Begins — Summarizing Genesis 12 Through Exodus 1 from Memory I'm going to read from chapter 7, verse 1. "Then the high priest asked Stephen, are these charges true? To this he replied, brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran. Leave your country and your people, God said, and go to the land I will show you. So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no children. God spoke to him in this way, for 400 years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, God said, and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place. Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later, Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. Then a famine struck all of Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was. And Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, 75 in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt where he and our ancestors died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. And as the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die." Now, for those of you who may have picked up on it, Stephen just summarized Genesis 12 all the way through Exodus 1. Genesis 12 is where we have God's promise to bless the world through Abram. Stephen starts there and ends in Exodus chapter 1. That is approximately 39 chapters that he summarized from memory under pressure. Now, if you were on the Sanhedrin, what would you be thinking right now about the charge of disrespecting the law? At least at this point, it looks like that charge is on kind of shaky ground. In fact, some of the Sanhedrin might be looking at Stephen and secretly giving him a thumbs up. Way to go, bro. Good job, all right? Why Stephen Uses Geography and the Stories of Joseph and Moses StrategicallyWhat I don't want you to miss, though, is how Stephen is telling this story. I want you to notice the way Stephen is making use of geography — Mesopotamia, Haran, Israel, Egypt. He is summarizing what God did in those places, but why is he doing this? Also, I want you to keep in mind what he says about Joseph and his brothers. I'm going to develop that here in a minute. Just be patient, okay? Now, before we move on, I want to highlight how Stephen addresses his adversaries. To the mob, he refers to them as brothers. To the Sanhedrin, he refers to them as fathers. This mob who dragged him forcefully before the Sanhedrin, and this council that not only sentenced Jesus to death but beat the 12 apostles — the question on the table is, why is Stephen so cordial? A few observations. First, he does not seem to be taking their behavior toward him personally. The moment is not lost on Stephen. He's acutely aware of the danger he is in, but he remembers his mission, which was the same as Jesus. He does not want to condemn them. He wants them to know the truth. So he speaks to them in a way fitting that purpose. He does not retaliate against them for mistreating him. Second, Stephen understands that their behavior is symptomatic of a bigger issue. He knows what the Apostle Paul will later go on to understand and share with Timothy. As we read in 2 Timothy 2:25–26, Paul says this: "Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will." Stephen understands that these people have been taken captive by the devil so that they would do his will. But Stephen hopes that they will come to their senses. So he begins by instructing them gently. And in his approach, Stephen is reflecting the very heart of God. Back in Ezekiel 33:11, we hear God say this: "As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways. Why will you die, people of Israel?" Stephen does not clap back at them. Third, he is gentle because he is focused. He knows it's not about him. This encounter is much bigger than Stephen, and he is keenly aware of it, and we can tell by the way he conducts himself. It's a powerful lesson for us today, isn't it? If we're going to stand firm against hate and persecution, we will resist the urge to take people's behavior toward us personally. We remember that their behavior is symptomatic of a bigger issue. They are captives of the devil, and what we want to stay focused on is our mission to be active agents in freeing them through spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now one last point before we move on. We are 19 verses into Stephen's speech and in all his words, Stephen is not trying to defend himself. He has not yet answered the question that was put before him: are these charges true? He hasn't quite answered that question, at least not directly. Acts 7:20–43: Moses, the Burning Bush, and the Pattern of Rejected MessengersBut let's get back to the rest of Stephen's speech, because I think we'll find some more for us to consider. "Now at that time, Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months, he was cared for by his family. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. When Moses was 40 years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day, Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, men, you are brothers. Why do you want to hurt each other? But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday? When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After 40 years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say, I am the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt. This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, who made you ruler and judge. He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for 40 years in the wilderness." Once again, Stephen has done an excellent job in summarizing that next section. He pretty accurately brings the story to the lawgiver himself, the man Moses. But let me begin to tie some pieces of this puzzle together for us. Stephen brings up Joseph and Moses very strategically. Joseph, with his dreams, and Moses, even at his birth, were both marked by God for God's use and for the good of his people. But in both cases, they were originally rejected. In other words, our ancestors, says Stephen, missed God's messengers the first time. Even though the signs were there, they rejected their God-appointed leaders the first time. And Stephen is about to be very clear about the implications of this for them. He mentions God being with Moses in Midian and in Egypt. All the geographical references that Stephen has made is the point he's taking aim at — the misunderstanding of the temple. They refer to the temple as this holy place. But yet Stephen reminds the Sanhedrin that when Moses was in Midian on Mount Sinai, Moses was commanded to remove his sandals because where he was standing was holy ground. So which is it? Is it the holy ground that Moses was standing on in Mount Sinai in Midian? Or is it this holy place, the temple in Jerusalem? Wherever the presence of God touches down becomes holy. What Stephen is saying is that God is not bound by any single location. This is what the Sanhedrin failed to see in their attempt to defend the temple. And it is a pattern that Stephen is pointing out for them. In addition, Jesus sternly rebuked the religious leaders when he turned over the tables of the money changers and called the temple a den of thieves, because they were keeping people from God. God had left the building, and they were completely oblivious. Let me highlight the wisdom Stephen is using here. First, he knows the word and how to apply it to the situation he is presently in. Second, he understands the charges brought against him and how to use those same charges to highlight the error of his accusers. And finally, he does not lose focus of his mission. And the question on the table for us is, if we were under this pressure, could we do the same? Acts 7:44–53: Stephen Flips the Script — You Are the Ones Who Violated the LawNow Stephen is about to end his time with the Sanhedrin, and it's going to be a colossal end. Let's finish reading. "This is the Moses who told the Israelites, God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people. He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our ancestors, and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him, and their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him. That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in it in what their own hands had made. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: did you bring me sacrifices and offerings 40 years in the wilderness, people of Israel? You have taken up the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your God Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Babylon. Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says, heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build me, says the Lord? Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things? You stiff-necked people, your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You were just like your ancestors. You always resist the Holy Spirit. Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. You who have received the law that was given through angels, but have not yet obeyed it." Stephen ends his speech with a powerful rebuke of the Sanhedrin and this mob. The history of the Jewish people had been one of rebellion, culminating in the murder of Jesus, their long-awaited Messiah. Just as they did with Joseph and Moses, they missed Jesus the first time. I want you to underline verse 53. Stephen courageously tells the truth and provides a proper diagnosis of their problem. In so doing, he flips the script. So you accuse me of violating the law and desecrating the temple? I'm not guilty of either one of these, but you are. The evidence he provides is rightly in the law of Moses, and he records the embarrassing incident with the golden calf. This was abject idolatry, which got them exiled, and it's clear that their stubborn rebellion continued to blind them. Making the Means the End: The Sanhedrin's Fatal Error with the Law and the TempleThe inherent problem the Sanhedrin and the mob suffered from was that they made the means the end and did away with the end itself. What do I mean by that? Well, in Galatians 3:24–25, Paul says this: "So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The law was the means by which we would be ready for Christ, who was literally the end of the law — he was what the law was preparing us for. But they made the means, the law, the end, and did away with the end itself, Jesus. Jesus says the same thing about the temple. In Mark 11:17, Jesus says this: "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." The temple was the means by which all the nations would come to know who God is and pray to him. They turned the temple into a money-making machine, and they did away with God altogether. It's the same pattern. Acts 7:54–60: The Stoning of Stephen — Dying Like His LordLike all who stubbornly live in rebellion and refuse to hear the truth, they go after Stephen. "When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of the young man named Saul. And while they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing." Stephen took a bold stand and it cost him his life. But here's the beauty of this passage. Stephen died in the same way his Lord did. He dies praying for the forgiveness of the people stoning him, just like Jesus. And because Stephen was so faithful to his call, the heavens opened so that Stephen sees the Lord Jesus rise from his throne to welcome his faithful servant home. How to Stand Firm Against Hate and Persecution: Look Up, Not AroundHow do we stand firm in the face of hate and persecution? First and foremost, we look up, not around. We look to Jesus. We need to be focused on Jesus because he is all he's asking us to be, and he has done all he's asking us to do. That includes suffering for his sake. Second, we need to remember one important thing. We're not simply spectators or victims. We are active agents of change. In other words, we do not lose sight of the mission, because this is why we are here. You know, I know some people — I've spoken to some people about this passage — and they seem to think that it's unfair for Stephen to have died. After all, why couldn't God have saved him? He saved the apostles. He saved John and Peter. Why couldn't he have saved Stephen? But if we read Acts 1:8, where Jesus told the disciples that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and in the uttermost parts of the world, we begin to realize one important thing. Up until this point, guess where the church was localized? Jerusalem. Guess where they had their small groups? Jerusalem. Guess where they had their worship time? Jerusalem. But where were they supposed to go? But after Stephen was killed, we read this: "On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." Stephen's death was the catalyst for the advancement of the gospel outside of Jerusalem. Remember, our faith is not a faith that we simply talk about. Our faith is a full contact sport. If by my life or death I can advance the gospel, I will. Stephen did it by his death. Closing: Active Agents of God's Redemptive WorkLet me read you one quote as I close. It says, "Suffering becomes the ongoing evidence that creation awaits restoration. And believers, bearing God's image and indwelt by the Spirit, participate in that redemptive work. Rather than passive victims of evil, they become agents through whom God's original creative intention progressively reasserts itself against the disorder introduced by sin." Will you be a part of that? Because this is our purpose. And once we understand our purpose and totally embrace it, then we look at the world very differently. We can stop asking why the world is the way it is. Because that's really the wrong question. The right question is, what are we going to do about it? Because we are supposed to be the active and willing participants in God's redemptive work. Is this work dangerous? Yeah. Stephen found that out very clearly. Remember, Jesus died for us first. So it is not like God is asking us to throw away our lives cavalierly. Far from it. Stephen understood the stakes and was keenly aware of the moment. But he determined that his life was worthy of sacrificing for the gospel. He stood firm. Can we? Let me pray. Our gracious God and Father, we thank you for this time that we can be in your word. We are reminded, Lord, that it's you who preserved your word, lo, these 2,000 years for us, this generation of believers, to learn and glean from. I pray, Father, for whatever lessons that may have been brought out here, that those seeds would be scattered in the hearts of your people and that they would grow into folks that would stand firm for the advancement of the gospel. Our only desire, Lord God, is like Stephen. We ask humbly that you would use us as we serve, and that you would be glorified. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. South Run Baptist Church | 8712 Selger Drive, Springfield, VA 22153 | Sunday Worship at 11am Serving Springfield, Burke, West Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, and Franconia, Virginia. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The great grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien, Royd Tolkien, has a special connection to New Zealand but not just because of its role as Middle-earth. 

Chris Hikes 26 miles dressed as a Hobbit for charity: https://shorturl.at/6AbHfChris pops in to discuss the nature of evil in Middle-earth. He looks at whether Morgoth was really as chaotic as he seemed. Maybe he was a tool used by Eru to further his ultimate plan.The ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi is discussed. The art of making something more beautiful because of its flaws.Ain't no sunshine without rain, is what he's saying.Come discuss fate, free will, paradise and whether humans 'earned' Numenor.

Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Middle Earth, Westeros, Nerd Therapy is the episode where we dive into anything from VS battle to philosophical conversations like "If Batman is such a rich resourceful genius, why is Gotham still in shambles". Anything can happen in these episodes as we let our nerd curiosities and desires fly!!Socials: @whysosidiouspod X - Instagram - TikTok - YouTube Subscribe, Like, or Comment to interact & request topics! Business Email:whysosidious@yahoo.comWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠https://codepen.io/whysosidiouspod/pen/KwdOWBd

Join The Man of the West as we approach the Tower of Cirith Ungol with Sam — from leaving Frodo's body behind, to the Two Watchers at the gate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A warm welcome to another Middle Earth sleep story, where you are the main character. This track incorporates soft, soothing music, detailed sound effects and a perfect sleepy atmosphere towards the end. You start your adventure journeying back to The Shire, where upon arrival you have a dinner scheduled with old Bilbo Baggins. As you venture home, however, you notice a storm brewing, and move as quickly as you can to find shelter in The House Under The Hill, where a warm fire waits for you, where fresh hot food will be brought straight to your lap, and where a magical sleep will envelop you. *With the rise of AI generated content, I feel it appropriate to reassure you that I am a human creator, with a deep love of storytelling, meditation and sleep. I work on my own to bring you as many varied tracks as possible, and I hope you continue to enjoy my creations!* If you would like to enjoy ad-free content, exclusive sleep stories, live readings and more, then you can join our wonderful Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/sleepycatmeditations Writing, Voiceover & Edits property of © Sleepy Cat Meditations (est. 2020). All rights reserved. Music by Liborio Conti & Enlightened Audio (All Licenses & Permission granted)

Nick and the mono moto James Powell return to Middle Earth to meet Theoden's cousin - THEOden! Also hand towel etiquette and braided women! Enjoy!Remember to email us at comicconspodcast@gmail.com and follow on Instagram @comicconspodcast

For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in July 2025. If you want to hear our current longread project TOKYO DRIFTERS (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.The Elves are here, and it's time to learn all about them! Because there are a whole bunch of different sub-types of them, mostly sorted by whether and how quickly they decided to heed the summons to come party with the gods on their paradise island.The most important one we meet is Fëanor, who forges the book's MacGuffins and then instantly gets super weird and possessive about them, in a way that ensures lasting misery for all involved. Hooray!The reading list:Ep 1 - Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion Ch 1-3Ep 2 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 4-10Ep 3 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 11-16Ep 4 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 17-20Ep 5 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 21-24Ep 6 - Akallabeth, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, AppendicesOur theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight we come to the end of the entire History of Middle-earth! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

This week the Punching Up crew discusses Warhorses' new projects, including a game set in Middle-earth, Dragon Quest Direct, the new Mario Movie release, Crazy Taxi, and more!Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:25:53 - Dragon Quest Stream0:34:26 - Warhorse Working on Middle-earth Game0:46:29 - Next Mario Movie release0:50:49 - SEGA teasing Crazy Taxi0:54:13 - Nintendo Wants to Produce More Switches0:58:23 - What We're Playing1:10:55 - The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine Anniversary Stream1:17:27 - Unreal Engine 6 Announced1:20:16 - Closing Questions1:43:30 - BBQ Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exlcusives! Turin's tragic journey starts here. In this episode, we examine the opening chapter of The Children of Húrin, exploring the foundational relationships and lineage that shape Turin's fate. Why does Tolkien focus so much on houses and kin? How does the friendship with the crippled servant Sador color Turin's early years? We unpack the narrative roots of tragedy, prophecy, and the fraught bond between elves and men. We also look at: What Tolkien's “fire” actually means when describing Húrin The rare, uneasy alliance between elves and men in the First Age How tragedy marks Turin's family from the very beginning Giving, pity, and the early signs of Turin's character—before everything goes wrong In our extended episode (available via our Exploring Tolkien App or for our site’s members–), we go deeper on: The roles of Morwen and Húrin—and how their contrasting natures shape Turin's destiny Tolkien's craft: why his metaphors never just describe, but also worldbuild Why houses and heraldry matter so much in Middle-earth's oldest tales

Incredible week for both big movie and big tv show! That's right, both The Mandalorian VS. Groglet and The Boys Season 5 finale have arrived to varying degrees of audience apathy. We review that plus talk the news of the week covering Peter Jackson potentially returning to Middle Earth to direct The Silmarillion, The Godfather gets a fourth movie, a new trailer for Lanterns and more! Thanks for listening!New bonus Booque Clubbe podcast ep and video for Spider-Man: Life Story! Available to watch and listen now on bigsandwich.co and patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesPLEASE be aware timecodes may shift due to inserted ads.00:00 The Start03:19 The Silmarillion LOTR Movie09:12 New Godfather Spin-off Movie20:54 Avatar TLA Season 2 Trailer21:26 New DC Lanterns Trailer31:43 The Mandalorian vs Groglet Movie Review52:25 The Mandalorian vs Groglet Spoiler Segment01:04:50 The Boys Finale Full Spoiler Review01:29:20 What We Reading, Obsession Review01:35:25 Letters, It's Time For LettersSUBSCRIBE HERE ►► http://goo.gl/pQ39jNJames' Twitter ► http://twitter.com/mrsundaymoviesMaso's Twitter ► http://twitter.com/wikipediabrownPatreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesT-Shirts/Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/mr-sunday-moviesThe Weekly Planet iTunes ► https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-planet/id718158767?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4The Weekly Planet Direct Download ► https://play.acast.com/s/theweeklyplanetAmazon Affiliate Link ► https://amzn.to/2nc12P4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WIP boys head to MIddle Earth & visit the Shire with Lando in Shirecenter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No, not the latest hotel review from The Man of the West. Join us as we open Series 16 in the dark, fragrant comfort of Shelob's Lair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by Gothalion this week, Twitch streamer and now CEO of a game studio: Magic Find Studio to chat about Forza Horizon 6 and eulogize the end of Destiny 2. Kingdom Come Deliverance devs; Warhorse Studios, is developing a Middle-Earth game. Rocket League upgrades to Unreal Engine 6, Lots of Warhammer, a secret No Man's Sky announcement incoming and we prepare for the Summer of Game Showcases quickly approaching. We've also played Thick as Thieves, The Adventures of Elliot, Luna Abyss and much more! 0:00 - Intro1:00 - Gothalion is here2:55 - Goth is making a video game31:00 - Balancing game dev with streaming32:30 - Star Citizen reaches $1b36:00 - Warhorse doing Lord of the Rings39:00 - No killing in Subnautica 242:00 - Rocket League going to UE645:10 - Warhammer 40K Skulls49:00 - A secret No Man's Sky announcement?51:50 - Destiny 2 reaches end of life1:43:00 - The summer of game showcases1:51:30 - Thick as Thieves2:03:00 - The Adventures of Elliot2:09:20 - The Adventures of Sir Kicksalot2:15:50 - Forza Horizon 62:28:30 - Luna Abyss2:41:20 - LEGO Batman2:42:40 - Conan Exiles Enhanced2:51:20 - Rune Dice2:54:00 - Phonopolis2:54:40 - ShoutoutsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every creature in Arda has a story. The panel examines Middle-earth's animals — Huan, the Eagles, Ungoliant's brood, Beorn, the Nazgûl's horses — and asks what separates the natural from the supernatural in Tolkien's world. The post Animals of Middle Earth appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in June 2025. If you want to hear our current longread project TOKYO DRIFTERS (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.In the beginning, Eru Ilúvatar created the heaven and the earth, primarily by watching his child-angels have an epic sing-off. And Melkor was there singing bad stuff, but Ilúvatar was like "no matter how bad you sing I can always make it a part of the awesome world I am building."Anyway, this episode is about perhaps the most biblical part of the Hobbit Bible, where a god-like figure creates the world and casts out one of his followers who thinks he's good enough to challenge god himself. Also: the Dwarves are created, and the Elves wake up.The reading list:Ep 1 - Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion Ch 1-3Ep 2 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 4-10Ep 3 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 11-16Ep 4 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 17-20Ep 5 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 21-24Ep 6 - Akallabeth, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, AppendicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.